WEDDING GUEST SPOTLIGHT: WHO ARE YOU – LOLA, CARRIE OR ATHENA?

Weddings are probably the number one reason for hiring an outfit, especially if you’re going through ‘wedding season’ where you find yourself needing a different dress over consecutive weekends. So have you thought about wedding guest dress hire as an alternative to buying something brand new? Not only can you wear designer pieces at a fraction of the retail price, you’ll also be doing your bit to combat climate change and slow down fast-fashion.

If you’re new to the world of dress hire and aren’t sure where to start, let us tell you about some of our most popular pieces for wedding guest dress hires.

‘Lola’ – by Nadine Merabi

Let’s be honest, Nadine Merabi have established themselves as the premier, luxury occasion wear brand in the UK. Yes, their pieces are to die for – think glitz, glam, sparkles and more, however they tend to come with a hefty price tag that most of us can’t justify (especially if we plan on wearing the dress only once). That’s why, here at Only Once Dress Hire, we want to give you the chance to feel your best, oh-so-chic self for a fraction of the price.

Playful, feminine and flattering, you’re going to struggle to find a prettier dress than the Lola Mini Dress. With a plunging neckline, a cinched waist and multi-layered skirt, this short style has been the number one choice for so many of you this wedding season. Paired with bold accessories, this is the perfect dress to transition from day-ceremony to night-dancefloor. The fit of this style, as with lots of Nadine Merabi dress hires, is true to size/runs small, so we do always recommend, if you’re between sizes, then size up.

Photo credit: @melholden91

Hire the Lola Mini Dress in red here or in yellow here for £54 for a 4-day hire.

‘Carrie’ – by Bec and Bridge

Probably less well known and talked about than Nadine Merabi and Rat and Boa, is the incredible, luxury Australian designer, Bec and Bridge. Bringing you the most flattering silhouettes, crafted from the most luxurious fabrics, Bec and Bridge has got to be my personal number one choice for special occasion wear. Honestly, if you’ve not had the chance to wear a dress from their collection before, you’re seriously missing out and I recommend you hire one NOW.

The Carrie Maxi Dress from Bec and Bridge is my ultimate favourite. Crafted from the most luxurious fluid satin fabric, in two-tone off-white and teal, it features a tie halter neck, knotted twist front and waist cut-outs. Pair it with simple gold accessories and let the dress do all the talking. Fit wise, this style runs true to size, however if you have a larger than standard bust for your size, we recommend sizing up.

Photo credit: @lauratott__

Hire the Carrie Maxi Dress here for £59 for a 4-day hire.

‘Athena’ – by Rat and Boa

Anyone thinking about where to buy special occasion wear, are bound to mention the stunning brand Rat and Boa. Made for the bold and beautiful, their dresses are the perfect choice for elegant events, evening soirees and special occasions all year round. And guess what? You can hire a huge range of their collection from us here, at Only Once Dress Hire.  

Without doubt, one of the most popular pieces of theirs is the Athena Maxi Dress. A floor-length style from one of the brands very first collections, the Athena is a timeless choice for wedding guest dress hire. Celebrating the female figure and accentuating all the right curves, it’s crafted from 100% silk lavender devore fabric and features a subtle cowl neckline with open back. If you want to ooze grace, elegance and sophistication, then the Athena is the dress hire choice for you. Running a little on the small size, we do recommend sizing up in this style to ensure the most flattering and comfortable fit.

Photo credit: @oliviasmith.o

Hire the Athena Maxi Dress here for £52 for a 4-day hire.

If you’re ready to feel your most glamourous and confident self, it’s time to take your pick – are you going to choose Lola, Carrie or Athena to hire first? And if none of these divine pieces are what you’re looking for, browse our full collection of wedding guest ready styles here. We have something for everyone!